Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.

Have you ever noticed that no matter what is going on in your life singing praises to the Lord always makes you feel better? Yes, we are singing to Him but in return we are overcome with God’s presence and overwhelming peace and joy. Make singing praises to God a part of your day and you will definitely start to see a change in your mindset and attitude.

Doing the will of God can at times be lonely road. Not everyone will understand or support what you are doing. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with likeminded people. Even so, there may be times when you still feel alone and it may feel like everyone has deserted you. In these moments you must remember that you are not alone. The Lord is with you, He is on your side and He will give you the strength to carry out His plan.

Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future.

A virtuous woman of God carries herself with strength and honor in her attitude and her behavior. She is in control of her actions and does everything with purpose and uprightness. She is respected for more than her outward appearance, she is respected for her godliness and holiness. She is confident because she knows God is in control of her life and the future.

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my voice in prayer.

We all fall short of the glory of God. We are not perfect but what we do when we fail God makes all the difference. Put aside your pride, acknowledge your sin and turn from it. Don’t let sin come between you and God. Don’t let sin destroy your fellowship with Him. Humble yourself before the Lord and confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and He will hear your prayers.

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Your words matter, they have the power to hurt or help. Sometimes we say things we don’t mean and sometimes we say things without thinking of the consequences of what we’ve said. Once words come out of your mouth they cannot be taken back or unheard. We need to be careful with our words because we will have to give an account for them someday. Use your words to encourage one another, use them for good not evil.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Everyone deals with stress now and then and some people deal with it on a regular basis. Meditating on God’s Word and praying plays a big part in dealing with these external stressors. We also need to do our part in taking care of our bodies by getting enough sleep, eating right and exercising. Give your worries over to God. Put your trust and confidence in Him and let the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, bring His peace into your life.

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

God’s presence in our lives changes everything. When we submit to God’s will, He gives us a calmness and inner peace that nothing on the outside can take away. We’ll have a quiet confidence that no matter what happens we know God is in control and we know that God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)